Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/725667
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 11 SEPTEMBER 2016 40 MARC CASOLANI THIS month I've decided to get off the beaten track in more ways than one – not just taking in some of the best beaches that Vietnam has to offer, but doing it in a bit of style as well. At the risk of raising an eyebrow or two, I'm on a luxury tour from Nha Thrang down to Mui Ne on Vietnam's south east coast stay- ing at the Mia Resorts – five star havens of tranquillity and beauty. Not my usual style, I know, but worth every penny, trust me. This is mainly thanks to the fact that Vietnam is not an expensive place to begin with. So your budg- et doesn't have to be outrageous. The coastal city of Nha Thrang is a beautiful place, but I soon found it swarmed by too many Russians who liked to party, and Chinese who couldn't swim (flailing about in their bright yellow life jackets). So I was glad to get away to the first of my two Mia resorts, just a few miles north of Nha Thrang. Situated on a two-km stretch of exclusive beach, this five star col- lection of villas set in manicured lawns struck me as perfect place for families and even honeymoon- ers. For me though, it was a chance to relax and explore the entire re- sort. Imagine beginning your day with nothing but the sound of waves and a stunning view. Then, after breakfast, walking the beach or swimming in the crystal clear wa- ters. I found yoga and scuba diving classes as well. Then came lunch, followed by cocktails at sunset, fol- lowed by a buffet dinner. So that by the time I got back to my bun- galow, I was fit only to run a bath in my luxury spa-like bathroom and sink into complete relaxation. For those who still want to ex- perience the city of Nha Thrang, however, there is a shuttle service that runs between the resort and the sailing club, which is also co- owned by Mia. I found it a great way to get into the Nha Thrang scene, without fully stepping out of Mia's chilled concept. A place that relaxes by day, but cooks up a party storm by night. So much so in fact, it has now earned the repu- tation as one of the hottest places in Nha Thrang. Next up, I headed for Mia's even more reasonably-priced four-star resort in Mui Ne – 200 km's fur- ther south down the coast. A laid- back little town famous for its sand dunes, Mui Ne is possibly best de- scribed as a kitesurfers paradise and a windsurfers dream. Much more than that though, it made me feel immediately at peace, as if the weight of the world had been lifted from me, and as if all I wanted to do was reach for a healthy drink, a good book and a vegetarian meal. Yes, not exactly my usual style – again. But with its unique jungle and beach shack style design, this was more a healthy retreat for body and mind. A place where they of- fer yoga for all ages, healthy food drinks all day, kite surfing and windsurfing lessons, a library and meditation area; and last but not least, a small luxury spa set in a lovely bit of jungle vegetation. The Mia concept is simple, treat all human beings, wealthy or not, in a way they will find hard to for- get for the rest of their lives. Yes, wealth made this place possible, but the impression I came away with from the Mia resorts was more purity than luxury. Places built in such a way as to leave you with a strange but wonderful feel- ing of nostalgia. One thing is for sure, for some- one who normally loves the more adventurous places and who usu- ally goes for places with a much lower price tag, I found that a lit- tle luxury in Vietnam goes a long, long way. Travel Getting there Emirates offer regular flights between Malta and Hanoi airport with a stopover in Dubai. Flights departing from Malta on 22 September and returning on 6 October were priced at €808 including tax. Getting to both Mui Ne and Nha Thrang is straight forward. You can arrive by plane, or by train (Nha Trang is a stop on the main railway-line connecting Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon). Or you can arrive like many adventurous bikers do, following the famous the Ho Chi Minh trail. Virtù Ferries MaltaToday and Virtù Ferries have teamed up to take one lucky winner and a companion every week to Sicily, with two tickets to be won every week in our photography competition. Already been on holiday? Good: we're sending you back if your best photograph from your holidays and travels makes the cut. That's right: send us a good quality image of your holidays and we'll send the best one to the gateway of Italy with Virtù Ferries. Malta - Sicily Express Ferries For more information visit www.virtuferries.com or contact by telephone 23491000 RULES OF THE COMPETITION maltatoday Conditions apply: 1. Tickets for each week's competition can only be won by one person who submits one entry of a high-res image with description. Entrants with more than one entry WILL NOT be considered. Entrants must send a description of photo. 2. Winners will be informed before the end of the week, and then announced on maltatoday.com.mt and MaltaToday on Sunday. 3. By entering this offer, entrants consent to their photos being published and owned by Mediatoday Co Ltd. 4. The entrant with the best photograph will be awarded two (2) return tickets, valid for travel to any Virtù Ferries destination. Mediatoday's decision is final. 5. Tickets are issued free of charge, excluding port charges, and in accordance with Virtù Ferries' rules and regulations. All taxes and charges are to be paid accordingly by the winning entrant upon the issuance of tickets. 6. This offer is closed to employees and contributors of Mediatoday Co. Ltd and Virtù Ferries, or their family members. This week's theme: Travel SEND US PHOTOS FROM YOUR FAVOURITE HOLIDAY PHOTO COMPETITION Photos should be a hi-res image (one per individual entry) with a sentence or two about what inspired you to take your photo. Entrants are kindly reminded not to send in personal family pictures that might be unrelated to theme subjects unless expressly requested. If sending a photo by post, address it to: 'MaltaToday photo competition', Mediatoday, Vjal ir-Rihan, San Gwann, SGN9016 Please supply your daytime telephone number, your name, your home address and an email address. Send the photo via email on info@mediatoday.com.mt [SUBJECT HEADING: MaltaToday photo competition] by next Friday at 9am. Themes may change from one week to the other This week's winner is MARK MIRUZZI at Bristol Aquarium. A little bit of luxury in Vietnam